Rebecca Shlafer, PhD, MPH

Rebecca Shlafer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics (Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health) at the University of Minnesota. She earned her PhD in developmental child psychology from the Institute of Child Development and a Master’s in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Shlafer also has an MA and BA in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Her research, teaching, and advocacy focuses on understanding the developmental outcomes of children and families with multiple risk factors, specifically children with incarcerated parents and the programs and policies that impact incarcerated people and their families. She is an appointee to the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet and served for ten years as a guardian ad litem in the 4th judicial district since 2014.

Dr. Shlafer teaches the writing seminar for the Department of Pediatrics’ interdisciplinary training graduate program in Adolescent Health. She also teaches through the University Honors program, and offers undergraduate courses in Child Psychology.